I'm tying my 7 weight fly line to 20lb Dacron backing for bonefish. The fly line has a loop already in place for tying on the backing. Any suggestions of which knot to use?

petevicar

09-05-2008, 01:30 PM

Tie a bimini loop in the backing and loop to loop.

BigDave

09-05-2008, 02:31 PM

or just cut if off and do an albright - which is plenty strong for bones

vtloon

09-05-2008, 04:04 PM

One minute tie: double over your backing and tie a Bowline -on-the-bight, then loop to loop.

GMflyfish

09-06-2008, 10:15 PM

I agree with the loop to loop connection. Bowline and a little superglue should be sufficient. I suggest making the loop plenty large, so you can easily slip it over the complete reel.
I've been using loop to loop for line to backing on all my lines, 3 wt to 9 wt.
GMflyfish

Trevor B

09-07-2008, 02:42 PM

Loop to loop for sure, I use a Bimini but I make sure to double up the backing when making it, that way it does not cut into the fly line as much when pulled tight, and like Gm says make it plenty big for slipping over a reel. Trev

vtloon

09-07-2008, 09:46 PM

I'm curious about the reason for a Bimini in this application. A properly led loop to loop results in a sheet bend, and that sheet bend provides almost all of the strength of the connection if the tags ends are held aligned or locked. That's why a whipped loop rarely fails in a loop to loop (but don't try just a round-turn with half -hitches).

In a Tarpon or big-game leader the Bimini is out at the pointy end of the spear and it's shock absorber aspect is valuable as well as it's strength. But at the backing connection?

Trevor B

09-08-2008, 06:46 PM

Bimini, because it's easy to tie, it's 100% and it's a very good knot to learn to tie and then if you do why not use it ?
I loop to loop almost everything, I have never had a whipped loop fail on me.

Vince

09-10-2008, 08:28 AM

I agree, the bimini is an excellent knot which I have often used.

I have been experimenting with a blind splice (I believe that's what it is called), where the hollow backing is run back up into itself with a darning needle. I run it quite far--up to 3-4' back into itself, and it locks itself in. As added security I sometimes put some superglue or knotsense on the upper portion. You could even tie a nail knot on the ipper section with 10-12lb mono as more security, though I have not done that.

I've pulled quite hard on these and they do not budge.
I also used them in the Seychelles on GT's with straight 100 lb leaders--where the weakest link in my rigging was the flyline to 40 lb backing connection--and they held just fine.

They are the smoothest connection since they are knotless
they are also fairly easy to do.